The Micromobility Conundrum for Policymakers: Use of E-scooters in Singapore

Abstract

The proliferation of e-scooters and similar devices have been a key feature of the evolution of transportation in cities. They had become a popular mode of conveyance in Singapore due to their benefits and the intent of the government to promote active mobility. However, the operation of e-scooters came with their own share of risks. There were incidents of PMD users colliding with pedestrians leading to injuries, fire accidents due to overcharging of batteries and reckless riding on the paths. The government introduced a slew of regulations overtime to deal with these risks that impacted the stakeholders in different ways. Eventually, a ban on the use of e-scooters on footpaths and public paths was imposed. How did the government manage the risks? What were the various governing strategies adopted by the Singapore government? The case of escooters is particularly interesting to understand implications of new forms of transport and managing urban transport in Singapore. An exploration of the governing strategies in Singapore would provide insights into policymaking for new technologies like e-scooters.